So, the manufacturers of baby formula put their economic interests
above everything else, including the lives of newborn babies whom their
products are supposed to benefit (not kill), and in so doing are supported
by their national governments.

But is there any large company or industry which behaves differently -
which, if they can get away with it (legally, of course), does not put its
own economic interests first? The tobacco industry, perhaps? Oil? Or ANY
other industry?

The truth is that our socio-economic order is based on, and thus
demands us, giving economics (i.e. making money) absolute priority over
everything else, including human life and welfare.

This, of course, totally contradicts our sense of humane, rational and
moral behaviour, and is quite unacceptable. "Home sapiens" (wise and
rational man) could not possible behave like this! So we have to find ways
of denying or rationalizing it, certainly of dissociating ourselves
personally from any responsibility for it.

But the fact remains: this is the basis, the ugly heart that goes with
the ugly face of capitalism. It is time we faced up to it, instead of
sticking our heads in the sand or pointing the finger of blame at others
(something political commentators, particularly on the left, make a living
from, while still depending on and thus supporting the existing
socio-economic order).

There is an evolutionary, anthropological explanation (deeply rooted in
individual and group psychology and human origins) as to why we are bound
to give priority to economics, which needs to be recognized and
understood, before anything constructive can be done about putting it
right.